My energy provider is pushing me to have a smart meter

Netexporter

43722 said:

So, smart meters are still not compulsory in the UK.

Only in the sense that suppliers don't fit dumb meters any more.

ArbitraryRandom

43722 said:

So, smart meters are still not compulsory in the UK.

Compulsory is an interesting concept; very little is actually compulsory when you think about it - just for most people the alternative is unacceptable. For example, you don't 'have' to eat or drink... unless you value your health.  

- If you wish to access the majority of energy fixes (not just money saving time of use tariffs), you will be required to agree to have a smart meter fitted.

- If your current meter develops a fault and you wish to have it repaired, you will be required to accept a smart meter. 

- If your current meter reaches the end of its certified life and you wish to continue accessing the energy grid, you will be required to accept a smart meter. 

Alternatively, if you wish to never be compelled to accept a smart meter, then you could invest in solar panels and batteries so you can have your meter removed... or adopt a less technology focused way of life entirely? 

43722

If and will...... These words refer to things that might or might not happen.  I used the word compulsory to mean a legal requirement, based upon legislation.

Netexporter

You don't have to have the convenience of a grid connection, of course.

ArbitraryRandom

43722 said:

If and will...... These words refer to things that might or might not happen.  I used the word compulsory to mean a legal requirement, based upon legislation.

There is a legal requirement to wear a seat belt... are you wearing one currently? I think you will find you are not required to wear a seat belt if you are happy to never travel by car.

A smart meter IS compulsory (by regulations, which are a type of legislation) in the circumstances I outlined above.

Some people can delay being required to accept a smart meter*, but very few will be willing to take the steps required to never have to accept one. 


* you have no control over when your meter's certification expires or if it develops a fault, but you can control if you prioritise not having to accept a smart meter over saving money on your energy bills. 

oldernonethewiser

My Mother is one of those people who wanted nothing to do with Smart meters. 

She stated that having them wouldn't alter her behaviour and now that they have been fitted she is right. They haven't.

Her IHD lives in a drawer.

What are folk worried aboout?

43722

So, once again, and right now, it is not a legal requirement to have a smart meter, and access to the national grid is not affected. That is what i choose. For some reason, i think my bills are impacted more by global events and political choices than my preference for a traditional meter.

ArbitraryRandom

43722 said:

So, once again, and right now, it is not a legal requirement to have a smart meter, and access to the national grid is not affected. That is what i choose. For some reason, i think my bills are impacted more by global events and political choices than my preference for a traditional meter.

That's another thing that will depend on your choices.

There are several people on the forum who have saved more than half their annual energy costs as a result of having a smart meter that can access time of use tariffs (such as the long running Octopus Agile thread) or who 'made' several hundred pounds last winter as a result of being able to take advantage of the demand flexibility scheme because they had a smart meter. 

If you value keeping your smart meter for another couple of years over saving hundreds of pounds you are free (for now) to do so  

Emily_Joy

oldernonethewiser said: What are folk worried aboout?

I personally worry about the fact that the smart meter collects information about how much and when the electricity/gas is used in my house. My partner and I, we are away from home often and for a long time (e.g. I was working abroad all September). The gas & electricity usage obviously indicate whether the house is occupied/lived in or not. I don't want this information to be collected and/or stored anywhere. 

ArbitraryRandom

Emily_Joy said:

oldernonethewiser said: What are folk worried aboout?

I personally worry about the fact that the smart meter collects information about how much and when the electricity/gas is used in my house. My partner and I, we are away from home often and for a long time (e.g. I was working abroad all September). The gas & electricity usage obviously indicate whether the house is occupied/lived in or not. I don't want this information to be collected and/or stored anywhere. 

Genuine question - do you have a smart phone... or even a mobile non-smart phone? 

Assuming you do, why is that okay but a smart meter not?